In 1985 Clark Rountree opened Rountree’s Hickory Pit (now Miss Myra’s) in the Cahaba Heights neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama. Interestingly, Cahaba Heights had historically been know as Mudtown, dubbed thusly by the Creek Indians who had called it home in the 1800s; it was also home to one of the South’s legendary record stores: Wuxtry Records.

Mr. Rountree brought white barbecue sauce to central Alabama from his native Decatur in the northern part of the state.

Things would never be the same.

A Saturday afternoon as a teenage boy meant a leisurely 2-3 hours spent combing through the racks at Wuxtry followed by one of the finest Alabama BBQ experiences; dinner at Rountree’s Hickory Pit.

Unlike in Texas, Alabama barbecue houses pay a lot of attention to both sauce and sides…and dessert. Rountree’s potato salad is still the finest I ever ate at a barbecue restaurant, their pastries are out of this world and that sauce? Unforgettable.

I reached out to one of Clark Rountree’s descendants Emily Osburne, and she agreed to allow me to publish his concoction. Presented here:

Clark Rountree’s Hickory Pit White Barbecue Sauce. One of the finest in USA.